Pacemaker Rhythms and Troubleshooting Quiz

What characteristic is typically seen on an ECG with atrial pacing?

• Narrow QRS complexes with a spike before the P wave

• Wide QRS complexes with a spike before the P wave

• Narrow QRS complexes without a preceding spike

• Wide QRS complexes without a preceding spike

Which of the following is a feature of ventricular pacing on an ECG?

• Narrow QRS complexes followed by a P wave

• Wide QRS complexes with a spike before each QRS complex

• Narrow QRS complexes with a spike before each QRS complex

• Wide QRS complexes followed by a P wave

Dual chamber pacing is characterized by what feature on an ECG?

• Spikes only before P waves

• Spikes only before QRS complexes

• Spikes before both P waves and QRS complexes

• No spikes visible

A pacemaker malfunction where the device fails to deliver an electrical stimulus at the programmed time is known as:

• Oversensing

• Undersensing

• Failure to capture

• Failure to pace

Failure to capture in pacemaker terminology refers to:

• The pacemaker's inability to detect the heart's intrinsic activity

• The pacemaker's inability to deliver an electrical stimulus

• The heart's inability to respond to the pacemaker's electrical stimulus

• The pacemaker delivering an electrical stimulus at the wrong time

When troubleshooting a pacemaker that is not capturing, what is the first step a nurse should take?

• Increase the sensitivity

• Decrease the sensitivity

• Increase the pacing amplitude

• Decrease the pacing amplitude

In the context of pacemaker troubleshooting, what does increasing the sensitivity of a pacemaker do?

• Makes the pacemaker less likely to detect intrinsic cardiac activity

• Makes the pacemaker more likely to detect intrinsic cardiac activity

• Increases the electrical output of the pacemaker

• Decreases the electrical output of the pacemaker

What is a common cause of oversensing in pacemakers?

• Low battery

• Lead displacement

• Muscle tremors or external electrical interference

• High pacing threshold

Which of the following is NOT a reason for a pacemaker to exhibit undersensing?

• The sensitivity is set too high

• The sensitivity is set too low

• Lead displacement

• Battery depletion

Dual chamber pacemakers are primarily used to:

• Treat atrial fibrillation only

• Treat ventricular tachycardia only

• Coordinate the timing between atrial and ventricular contractions

• Increase the heart rate only